Bmi Regional launches Scandinavian routes

24 Jan 2014 by GrahamSmith

Bmi Regional is launching a range of Scandinavian routes as part of its expansion plans for 2014.

Yesterday, the carrier introduced services from Stavanger in Norway, the country’s oil and gas industry hub, to the Norwegian destinations of Harstad/Narvik Airport, Tromso and Kristiansund and also to Gothenburg in Sweden.

In February, the airline will double capacity on its Aberdeen to Oslo route, while in March it will introduce a Newcastle to Brussels service, providing the only direct flight from north-east England to the Belgium capital.

Cathal O’Connell, Bmi Regional’s chief executive, said: “Last year was one of significant development and investment to establish Bmi Regional from a subsidiary of a group to a standalone business.

“We’ve rebuilt our infrastructure and systems and reshaped our operating network to focus on profitable routes which enable us to continue our growth into 2014.”

In November, Bmi Regional announced that it was axeing five routes following a restructuring programme, including some flights from Manchester, Edinburgh and Birmingham (see news, November 4).

The airline is a former subsidiary of Bmi, which was purchased from Lufthansa by IAG in April 2012. Bmi Regional has operated as an independent airline since 2012 (see news, October 2012).